Book Review

Summary: You’re All My Favorites is the delightful story of a momma bear and a daddy bear working hard to convince their three young bears that they are all their favorites. The story gives voice to our human condition: the desire to know that we belong, no matter how small, blonde, smart, fast, sick, rich or poor we are.

Literary Elements at Work: There are three important literary elements at work in this story: characterization, setting, and the driving undergirding question: how can I know I am my mother’s favorite and my father’s favorite? These three literary elements are demonstrated by the language used to describe each young bear, as well as the illustrations depicting the young bears, and the space and time they occupy. Each young bear is described in birth order, sex, color, and size. The illustrations continue the character development by showing each bear’s uniqueness. The story is set in the bear family’s home—the forest, and the moon placed in the nighttime sky depicts each young bear’s nightly musing: how can I know I am my mother’s favorite and my father’s favorite? A small child could easily retell the tale by following the artistry. The illustrations are done in watercolor and pencil, creating a warm and dream like feel to the story and making this a perfect choice for bedtime reading.

Scripture: Isaiah 43 selected verses “Thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.” (NRSV)

Theology: God creates us, forms us, redeems us, calls us by name, honors us, and loves us. Why? Because we are precious in God’s sight. This good news seems too good to be true. Thus, we need constant reassurance. That may be one of the reasons why the Bible says so many times, “Do not be afraid.”

Faith Talk Questions:

Lie down beside your child, let him hold the book and turn the pages. Ask him to point to the characters as you read. Repeat this process on each page, considering the following: Talk about the sizes: big, bigger, biggest; the colors: brown, grey, patchy; the ages: young, younger, youngest, older; the parents: mom and dad. Ask, “Who lives with the bears in the forest?” “Is it daytime or nighttime?” Talk about when your child was born. Who was there? What did various folks say? What did you say? What did your spouse say? What did any siblings say? In the story, the young bears notice their differences. Talk about differences. Some people are big, some little. Some people have blue eyes, some brown. Some people like to read, some like to jump. (This could go on all night!) Ask your child, “Who loves you?” Wait for responses. If he says, “Dad,” ask follow up questions, like, “Does he love you when you’re big? Does he love you when you’re small? Does he love you in the kitchen? Does he love you in the hall?” Say, “God loves you.” Ask follow up questions, “Does God love you when you’re first or love you when you’re last. Does God love you when you’re slow or love you when you’re fast?” Say, “God loves you when you’re first AND God loves you when you’re last. God loves you when you’re slow AND God loves you when you’re fast. Why? Because you are precious in God’s sight!” Sing this bedtime song to the tune of Hot Cross Buns: